Class Information

What you'll learn in this vegan cooking class:

Starting with organic soybeans, you’ll prepare homemade tofu of a quality, texture, and nutty taste that is in every way superior to store-bought. Far from “tasteless,” really fresh tofu is very delicate and delicious. Peter will guide you through making the tofu; then you’ll learn how to cook creatively with it and discover its wonderful possibilities.

FYI: Organic dairy in one recipe, alcohol will be used; wine, beer or alcohol will be served.

School Notes: If you need to cancel a Natural Gourmet Institute Class, you must reach out to the school directly at [email protected] If you do not do this, a refund/credit can not be guaranteed.
We also ask that you contact us at CourseHorse so that we can properly document your records. This also serves as a safety measure for you.

Teacher: Peter Berley

Peter Berley, former Executive Chef at Angelica Kitchen in NYC, is a private chef, caterer, and former owner of the Fire Pond Restaurant in Blue Hill, Maine. Peter has been active in the natural foods movement for over 25 years. His food has been featured on the Food Network and Chef du Jour. He is the author of The Flexitarian Table: Flexible Meals for Meat Lovers, Vegetarians, and Everyone In Between; Fresh Food Fast, A Modern Vegetarian Guide to Seasonal Menus in Minutes; and The Modern Vegetarian Kitchen.

This school has been carefully vetted by CourseHorse and is a verified NYC educator.

Reviews of Classes at Natural Gourmet Institute

(56 Reviews)

2/28/2015Margaret D.

Attended: Building Bone and Joint Health with Real Food

Was terrific. As described . Very satisfied.

2/26/2015Anonymous

Attended: The Art & Technique of Homemade Tofu

Great instructor and amazing supporting staff. The contents were also beyond my expectation

2/22/2015Peter P.

Attended: International Flatbreads & Perfect Accompaniments

Peter P. gave this class 5 out of 5 CourseHorse stars.

2/12/2015Anonymous

Attended: Basics 4: Principles of Balance

Anonymous gave this class 4 out of 5 CourseHorse stars.

2/12/2015Zinaida K.

Attended: Basics 4: Principles of Balance

Zinaida K. gave this class 4 out of 5 CourseHorse stars.

2/11/2015Christine C.

Attended: Chocolate Euphoria

Christine C. gave this class 4 out of 5 CourseHorse stars.

2/11/2015Chitra J.

Attended: Chocolate Euphoria

Chitra J. gave this class 5 out of 5 CourseHorse stars.

2/9/2015Johanna K.

Attended: Basics 4: Principles of Balance

Johanna K. gave this class 5 out of 5 CourseHorse stars.

2/6/2015Amee B.

Attended: Peter's Amazing Seitan Workshop

Amee B. gave this class 5 out of 5 CourseHorse stars.

2/6/2015Katherine C.

Attended: How to Launch & Market a Food Product

Katherine C. gave this class 3 out of 5 CourseHorse stars.

2/4/2015Deborah H.

Attended: Basics 2: Knife Skills

Very clear and informative! Barbara is a fantastic teacher and speaker. Would love an advanced level with her!

2/3/2015Edziel M.

Attended: Intelligent Baking

Edziel M. gave this class 5 out of 5 CourseHorse stars.

2/2/2015Alla D.

Attended: What I Wish I Had Known Before Starting Food Business

Alla D. gave this class 4 out of 5 CourseHorse stars.

1/29/2015Jason s.

Attended: Healing Kitchen

Jason s. gave this class 3 out of 5 CourseHorse stars.

1/28/2015Anonymous

Attended: Vegan Sushi and Beyond

Anonymous gave this class 5 out of 5 CourseHorse stars.

1/28/2015steph w.

Attended: The Art of Baking & Decorating Vegan, Gluten-Free

steph w. gave this class 5 out of 5 CourseHorse stars.

1/26/2015Molly B.

Attended: The Healing Kitchen - Your Natural Pharmacy

Molly B. gave this class 3 out of 5 CourseHorse stars.

1/12/2015Diane D.

Attended: Spectacular Sushi & Sashimi

Diane D. gave this class 3 out of 5 CourseHorse stars.

1/10/2015Elise H.

Attended: Homemade Perfect Pizzas Plus

Loved the cooking part so much and loved the teacher. I just thought the instructions were a little long at the beginning and we could have done more cooking and prep while our instructor spoke. I loved the side salads and wine pairings as well and loved that that part was unlimited. Definitely Recommend it though!

1/9/2015Anonymous

Attended: Basics 2: Knife Skills

Anonymous gave this class 3 out of 5 CourseHorse stars.

1/8/2015Alana I.

Attended: Basics 2: Knife Skills

The Chef instructing the class was a great teacher. Comfortable learning atmosphere.
The Chef assistants were also helpful.

1/7/2015Anonymous

Attended: Basics 2: Knife Skills

Anonymous gave this class 4 out of 5 CourseHorse stars.

12/21/2014Jennifer K.

Attended: Ancient Greek Wisdom for Your Winter Kitchen

Jennifer K. gave this class 5 out of 5 CourseHorse stars.

12/20/2014Anonymous

Attended: Ancient Greek Wisdom for Your Winter Kitchen

Anonymous gave this class 5 out of 5 CourseHorse stars.

12/20/2014Erin M.

Attended: Perfect Seafood at Home - Mediterranean-Style

A perfect intro to a wide variety of seafood and different ways to prepare it. Olivia was interesting and knowledgable and also created a learning environment that was relaxed and fun. I took this course with my sister and we really enjoyed it.

12/14/2014Peter M.

Attended: Knife Skills

Peter M. gave this class 5 out of 5 CourseHorse stars.

11/26/2014Brittany P.

Attended: A Traditional Thanksgiving

Brittany P. gave this class 1 out of 5 CourseHorse stars.

11/22/2014Michael L.

Attended: Basics 2: Knife Skills

Michael L. gave this class 5 out of 5 CourseHorse stars.

11/13/2014Tina D.

Attended: Edible Holiday Gifts: Preserving, Pickling & Fermenting

Tina D. gave this class 5 out of 5 CourseHorse stars.

11/9/2014Elizabeth S.

Attended: The Delectable Dosa: The Art of Making Indian Crepes

Elizabeth S. gave this class 5 out of 5 CourseHorse stars.

10/30/2014Jeanhie H.

Attended: Oh, Those Last Stubborn Pounds...

This class is packed with a lot of good information and reinforces the "fact" that sugar is the culprit of weight gain and reducing its intake is key. The instructor makes good recommendations on foods that aid in weight reduction/maintenance, but it is very macrobiotic oriented, which is not for everyone (like myself) and very limiting. The class should have been titled "Macrobiotics".

10/30/2014andrey c.

Attended: Raw Comfort Food

andrey c. gave this class 5 out of 5 CourseHorse stars.

10/25/2014Sarah A.

Attended: Basics 1: How to Begin

Sarah A. gave this class 5 out of 5 CourseHorse stars.

10/23/2014Ian G.

Attended: A Tantalizing Vegetarian Indian Thali

Ian G. gave this class 5 out of 5 CourseHorse stars.

10/14/2014Anonymous

Attended: Food and Your Genetics

Anonymous gave this class 4 out of 5 CourseHorse stars.

10/14/2014Nadirah M.

Attended: Vegan Mediterranean Mezze

The class was amazing. I learn so much. The only mishap was that I got splatter by hot oil while cooking, something went wrong.

10/11/2014Anonymous

Attended: Vegan Mediterranean Mezze

Anonymous gave this class 5 out of 5 CourseHorse stars.

10/9/2014Jacqueline B.

Attended: Vegetarian Soups, Stews and Salad Suppers

Jacqueline B. gave this class 5 out of 5 CourseHorse stars.

10/7/2014Rachel L.

Attended: Peter's Amazing Seitan Workshop

Peter is a great source for information about nutrition.
This is my first class with him AND I look forward to future classes.
The class was informative and well run. The food was delicious. Thank you Peter!

10/4/2014Veronica M.

Attended: Peter's Amazing Seitan Workshop

Veronica M. gave this class 5 out of 5 CourseHorse stars.

10/3/2014Anonymous

Attended: Peter's Amazing Seitan Workshop

Anonymous gave this class 5 out of 5 CourseHorse stars.

10/1/2014Anonymous

Attended: Incomparable Homemade Pasta

Anonymous gave this class 3 out of 5 CourseHorse stars.

9/30/2014Anonymous

Attended: Basics 2: Knife Skills

Interesting tips taught

9/28/2014Erica Hutchinson

Attended: Raw Basic Foods

Erica Hutchinson gave this class 5 out of 5 CourseHorse stars.

9/28/2014sandra Fernandez

Attended: Raw Basic Foods

Love it looking forward to another class with Renee

9/21/2014Cressida

Attended: Bold Southwest Vegetarian Entrees

I learned a lot during this class, but I wish it had been more pleasant. There were many people working there to help teach the class, which was nice. You did not need to scramble quite so much to find everything you needed. The ingredients were amazing as well.
Unfortunately, at one point someone working there came over telling me the draining aubergines had to go in the oven now and we had to put them on the oven-trays, which we proceeded to do. I assumed they knew what they were doing and was then told off by the instructor for not patting dry, salting and adding oil to the aubergines before adding them to the trays. I guess I should have assumed the people working there didn't know what they were doing. I don't think I would take a class here again. I don't like being shouted at (seemed to happen a lot). I am not your sous-chef.
Overall, this class could benefit from reducing the number of items that are cooked. This would make it less stressful for everyone.

9/18/2014Kristine Bueche

Attended: Basics 2: Knife Skills

Good course, got what I hoped for in terms of learning.
The video screen portion was not very effective for seeing exactly what was being demonstrated, and it was not generally helpful. Should be bigger, I think.
The instructor was clear and amiable.

9/18/2014Stamatis Lilikakis

Attended: Gluten Freedom: Reclaiming Our Daily Bread

Stamatis Lilikakis gave this class 4 out of 5 CourseHorse stars.

9/11/2014SB

Attended: Canning 101

SB gave this class 5 out of 5 CourseHorse stars.

9/5/2014Jacqueline Bolier

Attended: Vegan Umami

Best cooking class I've ever taken ... Have already signed up for another natural gourmet course